News

Los Altos liquor store robbed (again)

A downtown business was the victim of an armed robbery last week – albeit not a bank.

According to Los Altos Police, a suspect armed with a semiautomatic handgun entered Standard Liquor at 303 First St. March 19 at approximately 8:45 p.m., placed a paper grocery bag on the service counter and pointed his weapon at the cashier, demanding money.

Fearing for his safety, the store employee complied and placed cash in the bag, police said. The suspect then took the bag and placed his gun inside it before fleeing on foot. He remains at large.

Police described the suspect as an adult, white male with a medium build; between 25 and 30 years old; approximately 5 feet, 10 inches to 6 feet tall; and weighing an estimated 170-190 pounds. The suspect was wearing a black sweatshirt with a hood, dark-colored pants and a black handkerchief that covered his nose and mouth. The robber also wore white gloves with a blue rubber coating on the palm and lower fingers.

An armed suspect robbed the same store in February. Police have not said if the crimes are linked.

Anyone with information is asked to call Los Altos police at 947-2770.

Man arrested for possessing burglary tools

March 20, 3:03 a.m., South Springer Road and Camellia Way: Police arrested a 49-year-old man for possessing burglary tools after residents reported seeing him peering into the windows of cars during early-morning hours. According to police, the man was in possession of a center punch – a tool typically used to break car windows – which he dropped on the ground when officers approached him. The suspect also had a flashlight in his possession at the time of his arrest. Police noted that he had no reason for being in the area at the time. The suspect was later cited and released from the Los Altos Police Station.

Residential burglaries

March 20, 2:04 p.m., 500 block of Hawthorne Avenue: A suspected burglar removed the pins from the hinges of French doors located in the rear of a residence and removed the doors to gain access inside. The suspect stole jewelry and silverware from the home.

March 22, 6:44 p.m., 300 block of San Domingo Way: An unknown suspect gained entry to a home by forcing open a side door. The suspect stole watches and cash from the residence.

– Diego Abeloos

DUI arrests

March 22, 3:31 a.m., South El Monte and Hawthorne avenues: A juvenile male motorist was evaluated and later arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol during a traffic stop. The male driver was cited and released from the Los Altos Police Station.

March 24, 12:56 a.m., Foothill Expressway and Interstate 280: A 33-year-old male motorist was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol during a traffic stop. The motorist was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail.

Pedestrian arrested for meth possession

March 23, 9:14 p.m., El Camino Real and San Antonio Road: Police arrested a pedestrian stopped for jaywalking after officers discovered that he had methamphetamines and a meth pipe in his possession. The 37-year-old male was booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail.